The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - August 07, 2007
LOCAL HORSE TRAINER WINS EVENT
In the world of horse trainers, many will tell you there is no one quite like Princeton's Marion Weisskopff.
Mention of her name to peers, clients and attendees of her many clinics often brings a single word to mind: phenomenal.
Weisskopff recently attended a national event in Chilliwack and provided the following to the News Leader.
This was the Canadian National Andalusian Show and Fiesta, held at the Chilliwack Heritage Park from July 26th to 29th.
We took our purebred Andalusian breeding stallion 'Tribuno' with us and also 'Taseko,' who is a half bred 4-year old son of Tribuno's out of a Thoroughbred mare.
Tribuno and I got first place in 'Doma Vaquera,' that class was created by the Spanish bullfighting cowboys and it's a cross between Reining and High School Dressage.
We also won 'Get of Sire' where the offspring of each stallion is judged. His son Taseko was one of them and there was also a 5-year old daughter of Tribuno's there.
Another class that our stallion won is 'Andalusian Western Pleasure - Open." Doing this well in these different kind of classes really shows the versatility of our stallion.
It was Taseko's (son of Tribuno) first horse show and he has only had about 2 months of riding experience under his belt.
He won a 'Best Movement Class' and also became Reserve Canadian National Champion - English Pleasure Junior horse.
On the Saturday night there was a fiesta gala show with different performers.
My stallion and I did a liberty performance there, where the horse runs free and does all kinds of tricks without a lead rope attached. (The weekend before we performed with the Dancing Andalusian Stallions at a large fundraiser evening at the Summerland Rodeo Grounds and Tribuno and I performed a liberty show there and were the evening favourites).
At the Nationals at the fiesta gala show we were chosen to carry the Canadian flag to the opening ceremonies and the Canadian and American anthem.
My Bio as it was read to the audience during my liberty demo: Please welcome Marion Weisskopff and her beautiful Andalusian stallion Tribuno.
A little bit of history on Marion:
Marion grew up at her parents riding School in West Germany.
Her parents were open minded to different approaches of training horses and different riding styles.
Even though her Mother was a certified English riding instructor, she gave Marion the opportunity to learn from many other instructors in different fields of the Equine world.
By the time the family moved to Canada in 1984, Marion was already an accomplished horse person, having earned the German Bronze and Silver medal for riding and the Bronze medal for team driving.
Here in Canada, Marion never looked back and had a lot of different experiences with horses.
Her first Summer in Canada she got a job as a horse trainer and took the owners young stallion to the shows, winning a Canadian National Championship title.
Later Marion worked at a few ranches as a 'Cowpuncher' and also took a few different types of jobs, most of them including horses. She and her husband Don later ran a horse logging business for a couple of years.
After playing around with the fun stuff, Marion developed a horse training technique that worked well for her.
Having had a background in so many aspects of the horse world, like English Riding, Western Riding, Horse logging, Cow work, packing, guiding in the Chilcotin and presenting demonstration shows of riding horses without the aid of bridle or saddle, she combined a lot of what she had learned from the horses she had the privilege to work with and the people that she learned from, to develop her own technique.
For the past 7 years she went on the road conducting clinics and shares her technique with horse people from all over BC.
She keeps an open mind and keeps learning herself.
Marion is a CHA Certified level 4 English Riding Instructor, a CHA Certified level 4 Western Riding Instructor and a CHA Certified Level 4 Wilderness Guide Instructor.
Eight years ago she also got her Parelli Level 3 Certification and you can see a natural approach to her horse training, no matter what type of riding or handling.
Marion and Don have a farm near Princeton where Marion trains horses, holds clinics and raises Spanish Andalusian horses.
Marion bought Tribuno in Southern California when he was only a year old from Barbara Curry who is one of the most respected breeders of PRE horses in the world.
Since Marion spends so much time training other people's horses, Tribuno usually gets put on the back burner and he really doesn't have much training on him. He is now 14 years old and probably has no more than 2 years of training on him over his lifetime.
Tribuno is a foundation type or Baroque type of Andalusian and he is very correct in conformation and type. But what really shines in this horse is his gentle and fun personality and sense of humor.
More on the Andalusian
The Andalusian horse is one of the oldest pure breeds of horse in the world. Canadian Andalusians are a rarity. In 2003 there were approximately 350 registered in Canada. Though still a unique breed in the U.S., their population has risen to around 5,400. The total number of Andalusian (Lusitano) horses registered with IALHA in 2003 was 7,289 purebred, 2,898
partbred.
The Andalusian Horse originated on the Iberian Peninsula, in Spain, where 2,500 year old cave paintings portray this noble breed. Up to the 18th century the Andalusian horse was the beloved mount of Royalty and Captains. They were the "Royal Horses of Europe."
During the 18th century, European warfare caused the Andalusian breed to decline in numbers, close to extinction. In order to re-establish their breeding programs, exportation of an Andalusian became illegal without Royal consent. The penalty for exporting these treasured horses was death.
In Canada and the USA today, the Andalusian is ridden both English and Western. This versatile breed can be found throughout North America, competing in Dressage, Driving, Cutting, Cattle work, and Jumping. Their stunning presence and charisma makes them an asset to any show ring, exhibition or parade. The Andalusian, with its love of people, creates the ideal family horse.
Approximately 80% of the Andalusians are gray, 15% Bay, 5% black. The classic profile of the Andalusians slightly convex or straight head is an appealing feature, which balances well with their graceful, yet substantial bodies. Their thick and bountiful mane flows from an elegant, well-arched neck, (stallions crestier than mares). Andalusians' backs are moderate to short in length, the mare's backs tending to be longer than the stallions, (in order to comfortably carry their foals.)
Their powerful rear quarters are complemented by a long, flowing tail. The Andalusian has a natural balance, collection, impulsion, and agility - an all around athlete.
Andalusian Horses possess a proud but kind temperament. They are sensitive, and particularly intelligent, responsive and cooperative, learning quickly and easily when treated with respect.
